School Facilities Specialist (Custodial/Maintenance): Newark

KIPP New Jersey

School Facilities Specialist (Custodial/Maintenance): Newark

Newark, NJ
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Job Description

    We’re seeking a School Facilities Specialist to ensure our Newark schools are clean, safe, and well-maintained. If you're a hands-on professional with expertise in facility maintenance, we want you on our team. This role involves daily custodial duties, maintenance management, and oversight of facility-related vendors. Your proactive approach and technical skills will make a lasting impact on the safety and comfort of our school community.

  • Qualifications

    Qualifications

    Cleaning and Maintenance

    • Perform daily cleaning of all interior and exterior school spaces, following regional standards and industry best practices.
    • Respond promptly to student accidents, spills, and urgent maintenance needs.
    • Inspect buildings and grounds daily, addressing issues in a timely manner.
    • Maintain working knowledge of building systems (heating, ventilation, grounds, etc.) to support effective maintenance planning.
    • Oversee lunchroom setup, cleanup, and support for school events.
    • Manage and update the work order system daily, including preventative maintenance (PM) and compliance tasks.
    • Create and manage schedules for small capital and preventative maintenance projects (e.g., painting, electrical outlet installation, boiler repair, or minor interior fit-outs).
    • Lead special projects related to building upkeep and improvements.

    Safety and Compliance

    • Schedule and coordinate all yearly inspections for facility systems (e.g., fire alarms, extinguishers, suppression systems, mechanical systems, elevators, burglar alarms).
    • Maintain and ensure compliance with Life Safety systems and state/local permitting requirements.
    • Act as first responder for building alarms and manage alarm resets after drills.
    • Review security camera footage for facilities-related issues.
    • Build and maintain relationships with inspectors, ensuring timely updates and certification renewals.

    Vendor Management

    • Manage all facility-related vendors, addressing escalated issues with minimal involvement from school leadership.
    • Monitor the quality of work performed by contracted cleaning services.
    • Support the Director of School Operations with vendor quoting, contract review, and invoice processing.
    • Coordinate deliveries of school supplies and equipment.
    • Oversee and ensure timely processing of facility-related vendor payments.
    • Support region-wide vendor relationships to ensure consistency and quality.

    Qualifications:

    • Black Seal (low pressure) Boiler License (highly preferred)
    • 2+ years of experience in custodial, maintenance or facilities management, preferably in a school setting.
    • Availability to handle school emergencies 24/7.
    • Ability to lift, bend, and pull more than 50 pounds.
    • Proficiency with power tools, facility-related equipment, and general carpentry/handyman work (e.g., repairing/replacing door hardware).
    • In-depth knowledge of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
    • Experience using work order systems (preferred)
    • Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (preferred)
    • OSHA 30 certification (preferred)

    Additional Information

    Compensation & Benefits

    The salary range for this role is $45,000–$85,000, based on relevant experience in school-based facilities management. Candidates must hold a Black Seal license and have equivalent school-based experience to be eligible for a salary above $60,000.

    In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP New Jersey offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.

    KIPP New Jersey | KIPP Miami is an equal opportunity employer

  • Compensation
    $45,000-$45,000 per year